2026 Cold Hardy Citrus Field Day

Join UF/IFAS for the Cold Hardy Citrus Field Day on October 1, 2026, at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. This hands-on educational event is designed for citrus growers, industry professionals, and agricultural stakeholders interested in the latest research and production practices for cold hardy citrus in North Florida, South Georgia, and South Alabama.

Participants will enjoy a morning grove tour featuring live field demonstrations on insect pest management, sprayer calibration, citrus variety trials, and freeze protection research, followed by specialist presentations covering Phytophthora management, cover crops and biostimulants, and Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) production systems.

The day will also include opportunities to interact with researchers, Extension faculty, and industry exhibitors. Whether you are an established citrus producer or exploring new opportunities in cold hardy citrus production, this field day offers valuable insights, practical management strategies, and the latest UF/IFAS research updates to support your operation.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

8:30 AM: Registration & Trade Show Opens

8:45 AM: Opening Remarks: Danielle Williams, UF/IFAS Gadsden County or Abbey Smith Jackson County

8:50 AM: Load Trolleys & Travel to Grove

*Please use restroom prior to loading trolleys; trolleys are located outside of main entrance for transportation to the grove*

9:15-11:15AM: Grove Tour & Field Demonstrations

9:15-9:45AM: Scout Before You Spray: Smarter Insect Management: Danielle Williams and Abbey Smith, UF/IFAS Extension

9:45-10:15: Airblast Sprayer Calibration Demonstration: John Farrell, Chemical Containers

10:15-10:45: New Citrus on the Block: Blood Orange and Mandarin Variety Update: Dr. Muhammad Shahid, UF/IFAS

10:45-11:15: One System, Two Seasons: Freeze & Heat Protection with the Pulsator: Georgeta Ungureanu, The Pulsator

11:15-11:30: Return to Large Conference Room

11:30-12:00PM: Root Health and Phytophthora Root Diseases: Dr. Megan Dewdney, UF/IFAS Citrus Research & Education Center (CREC)

12:00-1:00PM: Lunch

1:00-1:30PM: Cover Crops & Biostimulants: Dr. Muhammad Shahid

1:30-2:00PM: Screened Success in the South: Feasibility of CUPS for Cold Hardy Citrus in the North: Dr. Arnold Schumann, UF/IFAS CREC

2:00-2:30PM: Strategies and Benefits of Fruit Load Management in Fresh Market Citrus Production: Dr. Fernando Alferez, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research & Education Center and Dr. Muhammad Shahid, UF/IFAS NFREC